Motor Activity Lab Opens

Of the 620 students at Palisades Elementary School in Capistrano Beach, approximately 90 have special needs, according to PTA President Veronica Hoggatt.

On Feb. 8, Palisades had the official grand opening of the Motor Activity Lab, a room that supplies multiple learning and activity stations for students to work on developing their fine motor skills – such as tying shoes, fastening buttons and zipping zippers.

Hoggatt, a parent of an autistic child, said she saw a need for a space dedicated to help kids with special needs, specifically children with autism.

The room's features address the specific needs of kids with sensory integration disorder, which is common with autism, she said. Hoggatt, along with three other parents – Shan Crawford, Bridget Harvey and Kristy Angus – spearheaded the development of the lab.

"This is a great example of parent partnership. This was the parents' idea. ... We have quite a force in our parents. It's just amazing what they have done," said Steve Scholl, principal at Palisades Elementary.

The lab, which is open during school hours, can accommodate 10 kids at a time.